Candidate for Kansas’s Senate seat Erik Murray joins the latest audio edition of Listen in with KNN to discuss his campaign in Kansas ahead of the June primaries.
Murray is the founder and CEO of Eastside Innovations LLC, a multi-million dollar company focused on providing underrepresented neighborhoods in Kansas with sustainability efforts and job opportunities. He founded the company after seeing communities like the one he grew up in being left behind by politicians who knew nothing about what the farm-dominated economy needed.
His platform centers on economic prosperity at all levels, healthcare affordability and access for all Americans, fully funded public education, and restoring democracy, decency, and moral courage in our federal government.
“This administration has proven that they are bad for business, they’re bad for community, bad for democracy,” said Murray, in reference to federal policies passed by the Trump admin that have increased economic uncertainty and limited opportunities for underrepresented communities.
Murray spoke about how he believes his opponent and current Kansas senator, Roger Marshall, has let down the people in the state who need representation most. That passion for his hometown is what inspired him to enter the race, despite not having a traditional political background.
Murray described his upbringing on the East Side of Kansas City and time spent in East Oakland after graduating from the University of Southern California as formative experiences that shaped his views on economic inequality and urban investment.
“We always knew that there was a wrong side of the tracks… some communities had less access to resources than others,” Murray said.
Murray reflected on his time spent away from home, an experience he says ultimately shaped his commitment to Kansas.
“As much as I love KU and Lawrence, both my parents are Jayhawks, it was a no-brainer to take that opportunity to go live in LA for a bit,” said Murray.
Coming from a family of educators, with his mother and many other relatives being school teachers, built his passion for supporting public education, specifically in underfunded areas, like his home area of the Eastside. Murray argues that access to quality public education should not depend on zip code, and he sees investment in schools as foundational to long-term economic mobility.
During the interview, Murray also touched on the upcoming basketball competition at the 2028 Summer Olympics and the 2026 FIFA World Cup as examples of America’s ability to host and compete on the world stage. The conversation briefly turned to the future of Team USA basketball, including speculation about whether longtime stars like Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, or LeBron James would suit up again for the next Olympics. He noted his belief in America’s dominance in basketball, regardless of which players make it to the court.
As a Kansas City native, Murray was quick to speak on the planned relocation of the Kansas City Chiefs to Kansas City, Kansas, by the 2031 season and a proposed $3 billion dome stadium.
“As a longtime Chiefs season ticket holder, my mom and aunt… literally go to every single game… so I know that they’ll appreciate the dome stadium,” Murray said. “Obviously, the dome stadium gives us an opportunity to host a Super Bowl, which is a huge economic driver.”
While he is hopeful about the prospects, he acknowledged the less-than-ideal terms of the deal the Chiefs made. He argued that much of the financial burden falls on taxpayers in lower-income areas, particularly in parts of Wyandotte County.
Throughout the conversation, Murray emphasized that his campaign is rooted in lived experience shaped by his upbringing in Kansas City, rather than political ambition.
“It’s all about access and opportunity, at the end of the day, everyone just wants a roof over their heads, food in the fridge, a good education, and access to healthcare, and I think we can do those things,” said Murray.
